The Toronto Raptors didn’t stop with the Kawhi Leonard deal. They quietly added some backcourt depth on Saturday, agreeing to bring back guard Alijah Martin on a two-year contract worth $4.8 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Martin spent his rookie season on a two-way deal, splitting time between the Raptors and their G League affiliate in Mississauga. The new contract is a real step up, both in terms of money and security. It gives Toronto a developmental piece at the end of the bench without any real risk.
What Martin Brings
Drafted 39th overall in 2025 out of Florida, Martin came into the league with a national championship ring. But the NBA minutes were scarce at first. He played in just 23 regular-season games for the Raptors, logging about six minutes a night. His season high was nine points, which came during an overtime win over the Sixers back on Jan. 11.
The real production happened in the G League. With the Raptors 905, Martin appeared in 40 games and averaged 18.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals. And he shot it well: 48.7 percent from the floor, 39.6 percent from three and 73 percent from the line. That kind of efficiency suggests there’s something to work with.
He played a little over 30 minutes a night in the G League, which is notable. The Raptors clearly wanted him getting reps rather than just sitting at the end of the bench. That development path worked for them before with guys like Fred VanVleet, though obviously Martin has a long way to go before you make that comparison seriously.
Roster Spot and Next Steps
The Raptors are coming off a huge week. Bringing back Kawhi Leonard was the headline, and rightfully so. But filling out the roster around him matters just as much. Martin isn’t going to be a rotation guy on day one, but he gives them cheap depth and a potential future piece.
(The team hasn’t confirmed the deal yet, but Charania is typically reliable on these things.)
For a second-round pick who barely played as a rookie, a guaranteed two-year deal is solid work. The Raptors probably see him as someone who can eventually slot into a backup role if his shooting translates. And the contract is small enough that it won’t matter if it doesn’t.
Toronto’s front office tends to value these kinds of under-the-radar signings almost as much as the big ones. This one won’t make national headlines, but it’s the kind of move that fills out a roster without breaking the cap.
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